2010- 2011 Winter Forecast: 1st edition

Hello everyone! This is the first version of the official winter forecast made by the Weather Centre.

Credits: NOAA, NWS

ACCUWEATHER

All graphics made by me.

So, let's begin...well, it's hard to begin anywhere! There's so much to say!

So I guess we'll start off with the most important.

NORTHERN HALF OF U.S.

Okay, let's start off with our Northerners of the U.S. Obviously, last year, our Northern Midwest folks had less than average snow and a bit of warmth. Of course, the memorable in the New England area. So, let's start with the New England area.

NEW ENGLAND

For our Snowicane victims, do not fear this winter. Your snow will not be nearly as bad as last year. I know, big relief.How ever, we will deal with bitter cold in the northern half of New England. Average or slightly above average snow will occur in the majority of New England. In the southernmost area of New England, it is an increased risk for ice storms. We will call this area the 'ICY ZONE'.

In the Icy Zone, people will experience large temperature swings. Rain, snow, and sleet with freezing rain will accompany storms with these temperature swings. Snow will accompany the area shaded in blue. In that area, labeled the Cold/Average Snow zone, people will experience bitter cold. In addition, average snow will happen, possibly slightly above average.

GREAT LAKES

In the Great Lakes, lake effect snow will not go away. It is unknown what will happen in many of the lakes. However, Lake Michigan, having warmer than normal waters at this time, will produce more lake effect snow.

The below graphic will mention the areas and list the effects this winter.

Cities such as Detroit, Minneapolis, Chicago will be getting the heaviest snow.

The pink area is the Icy Zone.

The dark blue area, of course, is the heaviest snow. By this, NOAA and Accuweather have identified it as unsure, but Accuweather is confident that the area will get a lot of snow.

(Joe Bastardi, Chief Long-Range Forecaster, Accuweather: "...Heck of a lot of snow this winter.")

The NOAA, on the other hand, will only identify the Chicago and Detroit areas as 'Above Average', with little or no mention of Minneapolis.

NORTHWEST

The Northwest is in for quite a wild winter. This winter will feature wet, soggy conditions in cities such as Spokane, Washington and Seattle, Washington. Thunderstorms and rain, not snow, will occur in those areas. Sorry, kids. Not much for snowdays.

However, if you live in the Mountains, snow will occur there. Thus above average snow should occur in the mountains. In the graphic below, it explains.

Snow will occur in the mountains, but rainy conditions in all areas.

SOUTHERN HALF U.S.

Not much winter will come to the South. Because of that, a graphic will not be displayed.

Dry conditions will happen across the south with severedroughts expected.

Warm temperatures will happen as well.

SUMMARY:

Heaviest snow across the Great Lakes into New England. Icy Zone through the Nation's Midsection. Dry and warm down in the South. Wet and soggy out Northwest, with snowy mountains. Temperature swings in the Icy Zone and Heaviest Snow; more in the Icy Zone. Possible tornadic situation in the Southeast this winter. (If storms like that are propelled upward, it spells snow, rain, and ice.). Extra Lake effect snow from Lake Michigan. Bitterly cold in Alaska.

Thanks for viewing my first edition of my 2010-2011 winter forecast! Updates to sections will be posted whenever new data comes in. They will be called '1st version; whatever-number update'.

Right after this, images from Accuweather and NOAA will be posted.

Thanks again for viewing!